Sept. 29, 2007

Box Score

FULLERTON, CA - Cal Poly freshman Daniel Gray scored the only goal of the match in the 50th minute to help lift the visiting Mustangs to a 1-0 victory over host Cal State Fullerton in the Big West Conference opener for both teams in front of 498 fans on Saturday night at Titan Stadium.

The loss drops Fullerton to 4-4 overall on the year and 0-1 in league play while Cal Poly improved to 6-1 overall and 1-0 in Big West play.

After a scoreless first half, the Mustangs parlayed a throw-in down in Fullerton territory into the match's lone score. The throw-in went to Cal Poly's Jeff Meyer, Jr., who threaded a pass across the penalty area to a waiting Gray, who fired back across to the left post for the 1-0 lead.

Cal Poly almost added another with a furious flurry in the 61st minute as Mario Fernandez's looping shot glanced off the far post, the rebound attempt by Meyer was saved at point blank range, and a pair of shots by Ryan Anderson were saved on the line and deflected out by the Fullerton defense.

The Mustangs controlled most of the possession on the night with Fullerton's best chances coming on free kicks, but none closer than 30 yards out. Gabriel Farfan had a header in the box saved in the 37th minute and teammate Ben Hofstetter's free kick in the final minute of the match just knuckled over the crossbar and out of play.

Cal Poly held a 10-9 advantage in shots for the match which was marked by aggressive play on both sides. The two teams combined for 40 fouls on the night and the Mustangs were whistled for three yellow cards during the run of play.

Cal State Fullerton returns to action on Wednesday (Oct. 3) at 7 p.m. as it hosts Cal State Northridge in a Big West clash at Titan Stadium.